About: Eurogroup
Ministers press Italy to respect common rules in budgetary spat
Eurozone finance ministers and the European Commission called on the Italian government on Monday (1 October) to respect the EU’s fiscal rules, saying the “non-compliant” budgetary plan announced by the third largest eurozone economy could destabilise the region.
Commitments have to be respected, EU tells Greece
Greece will now be “a normal country” but the reforms and the ambitious fiscal targets agreed with its lenders must be respected, the Commissioner for economic affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said on Monday, the day the Hellenic nation exited its bailout programme.
Germany poses ‘real problem’ when protecting bank savers with European guarantee, says official
A senior EU official said on Tuesday (10 July) that an agreement on a European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS) to protect savers across the bloc would be “very hard” given Berlin’s opposition.
Eurogroup reaches ‘historic’ deal on debt relief for Greece
In the early hours of Friday (22 June), the Eurogroup reached an “historic” deal on a debt relief for Greece, solving the last political hurdle to conclude its rescue programme after more than eight years.
Spain pledges to ‘square the circle’ on public finances in Eurogroup debut
Spain's new Socialist government said on Thursday (21 June) it had “no reasons” to believe that it would miss its deficit target, despite a planned increase to pensioners’ benefits being questioned by the EU institutions.
Eurozone to decide terms of Greek bailout exit, debt relief in June
Eurozone finance ministers will decide next month on all measures, including further debt relief, needed for Greece to exit its bailout successfully, their chairman said on Thursday (24 May).
Troika calls for ‘strong’ debt relief for Greece
The European Central Bank has joined the IMF and European Commission’s demand for “strong” and “credible” measures to alleviate Greece’s soaring public debt (around 178% of GDP) once the country exits its rescue programme on 20 August.
Greece gets green light for fresh bailout cash
Eurozone finance ministers approved another 6.7 billion euros in bailout cash for Greece yesterday (22 January) after Athens pushed through controversial reforms that drew strikes and protests.
The Brief – Guindos, Spain’s best option for ECB post?
Candidates for the ECB vice-presidency will put forward their names next week. For Spain, there is more at stake than meets the eye as it almost feels this is one of its last chances to regain some clout in Europe, writes Jorge Valero.
Macron shifts focus away from eurozone reform to court Merkel
French President Emmanuel Macron, concerned that a divisive discussion over eurozone reform might undermine his broader European agenda, has begun prioritizing other areas of EU cooperation, French officials say.
Portugal scores again, landing Eurogroup presidency
Portuguese Finance minister Mário Centeno became on Monday the new president of the Eurogroup as he promised to bring consensus across the aisle to strengthen the eurozone.
Candidate list for Eurogroup chief to be published on 1 December
The chairman of euro zone finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, will announce on 1 December the names of those who applied to succeed him, but there are still no clear front-runners for the election that will happen three days later.
France not impressed by Luxembourg’s bid to lead Eurogroup
Paris prefers the candidacy of Slovakia against that of Luxembourg, whose tax evasion record casts a shadow on its bid to lead the Eurogroup. EURACTIV France reports.
Mr Altmaier goes to Europe
At the start of this week, Eurogroup and ECOFIN met in Brussels. Interim Finance Minister Peter Altmaier attended the meetings on behalf of Germany for the first time. The talks focused on the banking union, fiscal policy and the Paradise Papers. EURACTIV Germany has an overview.
EU finance chiefs thrash out post-Brexit future
European Union finance ministers wrangled yesterday (6 November) over differences in plans to reform the euro common currency in the wake of last year's shock Brexit vote.
Schäuble receives €100 notes with his face at farewell party
Eurozone finance ministers deluged German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble with farewell gifts yesterday (9 October) as the man who inspired Europe's austerity answer to the debt crisis attended his last meeting with them.
France and Juncker disagree over eurozone priorities
France’s Economy and Finance minister Bruno Le Maire said that the priority should be eurozone integration before accepting new members, as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker defended this week.
Dijsselbloem to remain until January amid EU top job rethink
Acting Dutch finance minister, Jeroen Dijssselbloem will continue as Eurogroup President until the end of his mandate in January, various eurozone officials told EURACTIV.com, quashing speculation that he would step down earlier following an election rout at home.
Czechs in favour of deeper integration, but shun the euro
The Czech Republic wants to be in the EU’s “core”, but without the common currency. Prague wants to focus on common defence instead. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Czechs may seek observer seat at beefed-up Eurogroup
The Czech Republic may try to get an observer seat at the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers if its decision-making powers are boosted under plans to reshape the European Union, the foreign minister said on Monday (21 August).
Europe to improve disclosure of ‘bad loans’ for all banks
European authorities will prepare by the end of next year enhanced disclosure requirements on bad loans to all banks as part of an action plan to tackle the risk of non-performing loans (NPL).
Dijsselbloem defends legacy during critical plenary
Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem came under fire today (27 April) during the European Parliament’s plenary session because of his role in the Greek bailout programme and his comments about Southern European member states.
Dijsselbloem clings onto Eurogroup job
President of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said today (7 April) he does not intend to resign before his mandate ends in January. He insisted that none of his EU counterparts had called for his resignation.